Komodo Island Holidays

Komodo Island

Positioned in the heart of Indonesia's Nusa Tenggara archipelago, Komodo Island is home to the famed, and feared, Komodo dragon.

A creature of myth and legend, the mighty Komodo dragon – which is the world’s largest lizard – was not officially known to science until a Dutch expedition to the island in 1910. Komodo Island is part of the wider UNESCO protected Komodo National Park – a pristine world heritage site that encompasses several islands which, along with the Komodo dragon, form a safe haven for a wide range of plant, animal and bird species. Due to the geography and topography of the region, the best way to see the flora, fauna and marine life of Komodo and the neighbouring islands is by boat.

Cruising these pristine waters is undeniably special but also allows access to idyllic snorkelling spots, such as the colourful reefs that surround Kenawa Island, and, importantly, ensures that the Komodo’s fragile terrestrial ecosystem is better safeguarded for future generations. During your time here, take a trek on Komodo Island with a local ranger, visit Rinca Island which is an ideal place to see the Komodo dragons in their natural environment and meet other wildlife including deer, wild buffalo and long-tailed macaque. The national park also has excellent snorkelling and there will be ample opportunities to experience the diverse marine life.

Holiday Ideas for Komodo Island

Kelor Island in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

15 DAYS

The Heart of Bali and the Dragons of Komodo

from £5200 - £5800
per person

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When to visit Komodo Island

Despite its equatorial setting and proximity to not only the Gilli Islands and Lombok but also Bali, Komodo Island, though still benefiting from a tropical climate, is actually one of Indonesia’s driest regions. In contrast to much of Indonesia, Komodo has a shorter monsoon with the majority of the rainfall taking place between December and March. This period is also characterised by heavy seas and strong winds. As the rains subside, April, May and June experience increasingly warm and humid weather. There may be the occasional overnight rainfall but this is balanced by the beautiful, lush scenery that can only be experienced at this time of year. The wildlife is progressively more active too – especially marine animals including whale sharks. July to November is considered the very best time to visit Komodo Island with the months of July and August peak season. Temperatures are hot and days are sunny although it can sometimes be a little windy. This is, however, a fabulous time for wildlife – snorkelling is excellent, there is a whole host of marine animals to discover and the Komodo dragons are at their most active.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

BEST TIME

GOOD TIME

LOW SEASON

OFF SEASON

This is a general overview suggesting when to travel in the country. Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

What to do in Komodo National Park

The islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar form part of the larger Komodo National Park which is best known as the home of the formidable Komodo dragon. The islands that make up this reserve are rightly recognised for their exceptional biodiversity with the pristine coral reefs, tidal mangrove forests and volcanic landscapes supporting a phenomenal variety of animals, birds and marine life – a large proportion of which is endemic. Established in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Komodo National Park is best explored by boat – the seas and scenery are beautiful, more of the park can be explored, beaches enjoyed and there will be numerous opportunities for snorkelling and swimming. Trek island interiors with local rangers, discover beautiful pink-sand beaches, swim with manta rays and snorkel colourful reefs, particularly those that surround Kenawa Island which boast more than 500 different species of coral and around 1500 species of tropical fish. Aside from the opportunity to observe the Komodo dragon in its natural environment, the islands also support deer, macaque and wild boar, sunfish, dolphin, whale and numerous different species of bird.